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To determine the diagnostic value of different clinical, laboratory, and instrumental signs in the diagnosis of myocarditis in patients with the picture of idiopathic arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and in a comparison group when comparing with myocardial morphological examination.A study group included 100 patients (35 women; mean age, 44.7±12.5 years) with idiopathic arrhythmias (n=20) and DCM as a syndrome (n=100). All underwent myocardial morphological examination: endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) (n=71), intraoperative biopsy (n=13), study of the explanted heart (n=6), and autopsy (n=11). A comparison group consisted of 50 patients (25 women; mean age, 53.7±11.7 years) with non-inflammatory diseases of the heart (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension6.0 cm, ejection fraction50%) who underwent open-heart surgery (n=47), EMB (n=2), or autopsy (n=1). The investigators also performed polymerase chain reaction for cardiotropic viral DNA in the blood and myocardium, anticardiac antibody (ACA) identification, myocardial scintigraphy (n=26), coronary angiography (n=47), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n=25), and multislice computed tomography of the heart (n=45). The diagnostic value of the extended spectrum of clinical, laboratory, and instrumental markers for myocarditis was estimated.Active/borderline myocarditis was diagnosed in 76% of the patients in the study group (75.5% in the arrhythmia subgroup and 76.3% in the DCM one) and in 24.3% of those in the comparison group (p0.001). A viral genome in the myocardium was detected statistically significantly less frequently in the study group than that in the comparison one (40.2 and 65%, respectively; p0.01): in 46.6% in the DCM subgroup and 15.8% in the arrhythmia one. An ACA set (sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of positive and negative test results (45.7, 80, 80.4, and 45%, respectively)) was of the greatest diagnostic importance in identifying myocarditis; antibodies to cardiomyocyte nuclei in a titer of 1:160-1:320 had the highest specificity (93.3%). A specificity above 70% was seen for a full medical history triad (acute onset, an association between onset and infection, a symptom duration of less than one year), systemic immune manifestations, anginas in the history and elevated anti-O-streptolysin levels, systemic blood changes, Q waves/QS complexes on ECGs, local hypokinesias, pericardial effusion, atriomegalia (in arrhythmias), angina/ischemia with intact coronary arteries, and focal perfusion defects during myocardial scintigraphy. A sensitivity higher than 50% was observed for age over 40 years (differential diagnosis with genetic forms), acute onset, a correlation with infection, and delayed contrast agent accumulation, as evidenced by MSCT/MRI.When the incidence of myocarditis is similar in the arrhythmia and DCM subgroups, the viral genome detection rate is statistically significantly higher in DCM. Among the non-invasive markers, an ACA set (high sensitivity and specificity) is of the greatest diagnostic value in the diagnosis of myocarditis. The diagnostic rule based on counting the number of scores has been developed, which makes it possible to individually establish the risk of myocarditis in patients with idiopathic arrhythmias and DCM for both the determination of indications for biopsy and the lack of the possibility of its performance. The risk of myocarditis is high if there are 5-7 scores; that is close to 100% if there are 8 scores or more.Цель исследования. Определить значимость различных клинических, лабораторных и инструментальных признаков в диагностике миокардита у больных с картиной идиопатических аритмий, синдромом дилатационной кардиомиопатии (ДКМП) и в группе сравнения в сопоставлении с морфологическим исследованием миокарда. Материалы и методы. В основную группу включили 100 больных (35 женщин, средний возраст 44,7±12,5 года) с 'идиопатическими аритмиями (n=20) и ДКМП как синдромом (n=80). Всем проведено морфологическое исследование миокарда: эндомиокардиальная биопсия - ЭМБ (n=71), интраоперационная биопсия (n=13), исследование эксплантированного сердца (n=6), аутопсия (n=11). В группу сравнения вошли 50 больных (25 женщин, средний возраст 53,7±11,7 года) с невоспалительными заболеваниями сердца (конечный диастолический размер левого желудочка6,0 см, фракция выброса50%), которым проводилась операция на открытом сердце (n=47), ЭМБ (n=2) либо аутопсия (n=1). Проводили также полимеразную цепную реакцию на ДНК кардиотропных вирусов в крови и миокарде, определение антикардиальных антител (АкАТ), сцинтиграфию миокарда (n=26), коронарографию (n=47), МРТ (n=25), мультиспиральную компьютерную томографию сердца (n=45), а также оценку диагностической значимости развернутого спектра клинических, лабораторных и инструментальных маркеров миокардита. Результаты. Активный/пограничный миокардит диагностирован у 76% больных основной группы (75,5% в группе аритмий и 76,3% в группе ДКМП) и у 24,3% больных группы сравнения (p0,001). У больных основной группы вирусный геном в миокарде определялся статистически значимо реже, чем в основной (40,2 и 65% соответственно; p0,01): в 46,6% в подгруппе ДКМП и в 15,8% в подгруппе аритмий. Наибольшей диагностической значимостью в выявлении миокардита обладал набор АкАТ: чувствительность, специфичность, прогностическая ценность положительного и отрицательного результатов теста (соответственно 45,7, 80, 80,4 и 45%), максимальной специфичностью - антитела к ядрам кардиомиоцитов в титре 1:160-1:320 (93,3%). Специфичностью выше 70% обладали полная анамнестическая триада (острое начало, связь дебюта с инфекцией, давность появления симптомов менее года), системные иммунные проявления, ангины в анамнезе и повышение уровня антистрептолизина О, общевоспалительные изменения в крови, зубцы Q/комплексы QS на ЭКГ, локальные гипокинезии, выпот в полости перикарда, атриомегалия (при аритмиях), стенокардия/ишемия при неизмененных коронарных артериях, очаговые дефекты перфузии при сцинтиграфии миокарда. Чувствительностью выше 50% обладали возраст старше 40 лет (дифференциальная диагностика с генетическими формами), острое начало, связь с инфекцией, отсроченное накопление контрастного препарата по данным МСКТ/МРТ. Заключение. При сходной частоте миокардита в группах аритмий и ДКМП частота обнаружения вирусного генома статистически значимо выше при ДКМП. Наибольшей диагностической значимостью в диагностике миокардита из неинвазивных маркеров обладает набор АкАТ (высокая чувствительность и специфичность). Разработано диагностическое правило, основанное на подсчете количества баллов, которое позволяет индивидуально устанавливать вероятность миокардита у больных с идиопатическими аритмиями и синдромом ДКМП как для определения показаний к биопсии, так и в отсутствие возможности ее проведения. Вероятность миокардита высока при наличии 5-7 баллов, близка к 100% при 8 баллах и более.

Dilation cardiomyopathy (DCMP) remains a disease with poor prognosis. Aim. To study the importance of risk stratification improvement for fatal outcomes, especially sudden cardiac death (SCC), with the aim for on-time prevention procedures, as the previously proposed non-invasive electrophysiological predictors — heart rhythm turbulence (HRT) and variability (HRV), microvolt alternation of T wave (mTWA), deceleration capacity (DC) and acceleration capacity (AC) in DCMP are not studied well enough. Material and methods. During 4 years there was follow-up of 54 DCMP patients and sinus rhythm at the age 42 [30;58] year-old (36 males) and control group — 54 persons with no cardiovascular pathology (32 males, mean age 47 [27;64] y.o.). At baseline the Holter monitoring was done, of ECG with HRV, HRT, DC, AC, mTWA assessment, and echocardiography. Patients took standard treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF); part of cardioverter-defibrillator (CD) implanted was 18,5%. Results. Mean ejection fraction (EF) in the main group was 32% [22;38], signs of CHF had 93% of patients. Those with DCMP differed from the main group by significantly lower values of SDNN, pNN50, DC, TO, TS, higher AC and mTWA in early morning. During 4 years there was 1 SCD, and 7 died from CHF progression; there was 1 adequate shock in CD patient (totally 9 deaths). Comparing to those survived, died patients had had lower EF, HRV, DC, maximal mTWA values, higher end diastolic volume, CHF class, AC, mTWA, number of episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (nsVT) in morning. Under monofactorial analysis there was significant influence on fatal outcome risk of the following (in order of declining significance): EF (odds ratio (OR) 32), SDNN (OR 21), DC (OR 9), AC (OR) 7, pNN50 (OR 6), nsVT (OR 5,2; p=0,05). In multifactor analysis the only independent predictor of fatal outcomes was the decrease of EF of the left ventricle less than 26% (sensitivity 80%, specificity 90%). Conclusion. DCMP patients, comparing to persons with no cardiovascular pathology, have decreased HRV and DC, increased AC, more common pathological HRT, increase of mTWA in early morning, and in those died these specifics was more prominent. In monofactor analysis the non-invasive electrophysiological predictors associated with poor DCMP prognosis, were AC, SDNN DC, pNN50, nsVT. However the most significant and the only independent predictor of fatal outcomes in DCMP patients is the decrease of EF. If to apply the EF less than 26% as a criteria of high risk, it predicts the 32 times increase of fatal outcomes risk with sensitivity 80% and specificity 90%.

The primary diagnosis of “dilation cardiomyopathy” is syndromal, and demands clarification of nosological origins. In the article, the specifics of such diagnostics is discussed. Clinical case is provided that illustrates the ways of management, diagnostics and treatment of the essential (primary, genetically determined) dilation cardiomyopathy. Patient of 22 year old with no family history, at the ages 20 and 21 y.o. had cardioembolic strokes. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was found, raised creatine kinase levels up to 349-1045 U/L, decreased ejection fraction 17%. Heart failure rapidly progressed. In endomyocardial biopsy there was homogenisation of cardiomyocytes, subendocardial lipomatosis with borderline virus-negative myocarditis. By Senger direct sequencing, the novel variant p.E372 in gene LMNA was found, heterozygous. Implantation of CRT-D was done, and in 4 months — cardiac transplant.

Aim. To evaluate the 5-year results of renal denervation (RDN) in patients with resistant arterial hypertension (AH). Materials and methods. The study included 14 patients to whom, during the 2011-2013 period RDN has been completed. Before and after the intervention, office blood pressure, quality of life indicators according to the EQ-5D questionnaire, mass index bodies, indicators of kidney function were duly assessed. Results. Five years after RDN, office BP decreased from 165/110 to 139/95 mm Hg. Art. (p

Aim. The nosological diagnostics in patients with the baseline syndromic diagnosis “dilated cardiomyopathy” (DCMP) with the use of myocardial biopsy and evaluation of complex treatment (cardiotropic, antiviral, immune suppressing, surgical), including virus-positive and virus-negative patients with myocarditis. Material and methods . Totally, 220 patients included with DCMP syndrome, 69 women and 151 men (31,4% and 68,6%), from 16 to 77 y. o. (mean age — 47,5±12,5,) with dilation and systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV); end diastolic size (EDS) more than 5,5 cm; ejection fraction (EF) less than 50%, and absence of exclusion criteria. Mean EDS was 6,5 [6,0; 7,1] cm, EF — 30,3±10,1%, dp/dt 659 [535; 774,25] mmHg, VTI — 10,8±3,9 cm. The assessments were done of the anticardial antibodies via immune enzyme assay (IEA) and PCR-diagnostics of viral genome in blood of 95,5% patients, tread-mill test (5,9%), coronary arteriography (41,8%), MSCT (67,7%), MRI (22,3%), scintigraphy with 99mТс-MIBI (31,4%), genetic consultation and DNA-diagnostics via sequencing by Senger (21,8% and 16,8%). Morphological study of myocardium was done in 84 (38,2%) patients, incl. 52 endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) with PCR for parvovirus B19 genome and herpes viruses. Results. By the data of clinical-morphological assessment, viral genome in blood was revealed in 21% patients, in myocardium — 52%, definite myocarditis was set in 48%, possible — 8%, genetical DCMP — in 12%, myocarditis with genetic cardiomyopathy — 23% (incl. those with pathogenic mutations in genes MYBPC3, DSP, DSG2, LMNA, EMD, DES, TTR, DTNA), idiopathic DCMP — in 9%. In 59% patients myocarditis was primarily chronic, in more than one third of patients there was combination of several causes for DCMP (incl. alcohol). Short-term and long-term results of treatment were evaluated in 127 patients with myocarditis: 52 virus-positive by blood and/or myocardium (myocarditis morphologically proved in 73,1%) and 75 virus-negative (biopsy in 30,7%), that differed by a little lower EDS LV and lower EF. Significant differences by immunity activation (titres of anticardial antibodies) were not found; in 7% there was isolated viral myocarditis, in 34% — viral-immune; in 59% — immune. If viruses were found, therapy ordered with acyclovir, gancyclovir, entecavir, i. v. immunoglobulines; elimination of virus from the blood reached in 81% of patients. If there was tolerance to cardiotropic therapy and high immune activity, immune suppression therapy (IST) was ordered: in 51% of virus-positive and 62,7% virus-negative patients: steroids 30 [22; 40] and 24 [16; 32] mg/day, azathioprin 1-2 mg/kg, hydroxychloroquine 200 mg/day. In 12,0 [6,0; 20,0] months it was found that only in IST group there was remarkable decrease of CHF FC, LV sizes, MPPA and increase of EF LV from 30,3±10,6% to 39,2±11,9% independently from presence or absence of viral genome. In absence of IST such dynamics was not found. The best results were found in virus-negative patients receiving IST (mortality 9,8%, need for surgical treatment 21,3%), the worst — in virus-positive patients without IST (66,7% and 61,1%, respectively). Conclusion . Nosological nature of DCMP syndrome can be defined in most cases; usually there is myocaditis in its origin. IST in high immune activity of myocarditis (high titers of anticardial antibodies) leads to significant increase of EF, decrease of the left ventricle size, MPPA, mortality and necessity of surgery in virus-negative, as in virus-positive patients.

The main clinical presentation of noncompaction myocardium (NCM) as nosologic unit are thromboembolic syndrome, heart failure, mostly ventricular arrhythmias and ischemia itself, related to insufficient myocardium blood supply under the noncompacted layer. Also, there are only sporadic cases of myocardial infarction described (MI), including “idiopathic”, in NCM. Aim. To check the prevalence of acute MI in patients with NCM, the specialties of clinical picture, diagnostics, and its probable specific mechanisms, influence on prognosis and its ways of prevention. Material and methods. Totally, 10 patients included, 7 males and 3 females, mean age — 46,3±15,8 y. o., (30 to 76 y. o.) among 85 patients with verified NCM diagnosis, set in accordance with harmonized visual criteria, and developed MI on this background. In 4 cases the NCM is confirmed with three visualizing criteria (EchoCG, MSCT, MRI of the heart), in 4 other — with the two. Mean follow-up was 10,5 [1,75; 32,25] months — from 1 month to 1 year. All patients underwent ECG, ambulatory ECG recording by Holter, EchoCG, assessment of antibodies against various heart antigens, PCR for DNA of parvovirus and B19, as well as herpes group, in blood; 7 coronary arteriographies, 7 MSCT of the heart, measurement of Troponin (n=7), morphological investigation of the heart with PCR-diagnostic of viral infection (n=6), MRI (n=5) and myocardium scintigraphy with 99mТс (n=6). Results . In 4 among 10 patients the development of MI was the first presentation of NCM. Prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis in those with MI and NCM was 20%, however in most cases development of MI was not related with coronary atherosclerosis. Intracardiac thrombosis was verified in 60% of patients with MI, embolism to other organs in 30%. The following mechanisms of MI established: 1) thromboembolism to coronary arteries if thrombi are present in the left chambers of the heart (atrium a. w.a. ventricle), verified in 1 patient at autopsy, and is suspected in other five; 2) concomitance of myocarditis, incl. viral, with microvasculitis development and thrombosis of intramyocardial arteries and focal necrosis in ischemized myocardium (n=6); 3) thrombosis of coronary arteries with presence of hemodynamically significant atherosclerosis (probably 1 patient); 4) sudden worsening of blood supply under noncompacted layer under the circumstances of low cardiac output by secondary origins. Conclusion. MI is typical and unrare complication of NCM: its prevalence reached 11,8% in separate registry of 85 patients with NCM syndrome. Four probable mechanisms of MI (necrosis) in NCM (embolism, thrombosis, myocarditis, microcirculation disorder) might be comorbid. The development of MI leads to serious worsening of the baseline systolic dysfunction and ventricular rhythm disorders: mortality among MI patients with NCM is 20% with the mean time of follow-up 10,5 months. As a preventive matter against MI in NCM should be concerned the anticoagulants at least for atrial fibrillation and in systolic dysfunction, on-time diagnostics and myocarditis management.

Background. Chronic heart failure (CHF) progression is accompanied by remodeling of muscular, collagen and vascular elements of myocardium. This can lead to increase in serum concentrations of myocardial lesion markers (cardiac troponin I (TrI) and myoglobin) which seem to correlate with poor prognosis in patients with CHF. Aim. To estimate correlations between cardiac TrI, myoglobin, creatine phosphokinase MB-fraction (MB-CPK) serum concentrations and disease severity and prognosis in CHF patients. Material and methods. Fifty eight patients with CHF of different etiology were included into the study. Physical examination, clinical and biochemical blood assays, chest X-ray study, echocardiography and ECG daily monitoring (initially and at the end of the study) were carried out. TrI and myoglobin levels were estimated by immunoenzymometric assay. The follow-up period was 6 months. The following end points were used: CHF worsening caused hospital admission, acute myocardial infarction, and lethal outcome. Results. Mean TrI and myoglobin concentrations equaled 0.04 [0.02; 0.06] ng/ml and 62.95 [35.86; 77.28] μg/l, respectively. Demographic characteristics of patients (gender, age) did not influence these markers levels. TrI concentration correlated with CHF severity: it was significantly higher in patients with CHF of functional class (FC) III-IV than in those with CHF of FC I-II (p

Aim. To study a rate of resistance to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel and clinical outcomes in patients with atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2).Material and methods. 154 patients were involved in the study and split into two groups. 100 patients (47 men, 53 women; aged 66,4±7,8 y.o.) with ischemic heart disease (IHD) (which was presented by angina pectoris, class I-III, or myocardial infarction history) were included into the first group (G1). Other 54 patients (38 men, 16 women; aged 64,1±10,2 y.o.) with IHD associated with obliterative atherosclerosis of lower limb were included into the 2nd group (G2). Platelet aggregation was evaluated by Born's method (inducers of platelet aggregation were arachidonic acid and ADP). Reduction of platelet aggregation ≥20% after arachidonic acid induction was considered as criterion of resistance to ASA. Patients were considered as resistant, partly resistant and sensitive to clopidogrel if platelet aggregation reduced on Results. Rate of ASA and clopidogrel resistance in patients with DM2 was significantly higher than these in patients without DM2 (48% vs 16% respectively, р=0,003 in G1; 42% vs 7% respectively, р=0,007 in G2).Conclusion. Resistance to antiplatelet drugs is observed more often in patients with DM2 and can result in increased risk of cardiovascular complications.

Aim. To compare antihypertensive, antianginal and antiischemic efficacy of β1-selective adrenoblockers (betaxolol and metoprolol tartrate) in patients with arterial hypertension (HT) of 1-2 degree associated with stable angina class II.Material and methods. 100 patients (aged 23-66 y.o.) with HT associated with stable angina or without angina were involved in the study. Patients were randomized into 2 groups (G1 and G2). G1 patients were treated with betaxolol, and G2 patients – with metoprolol tartrate. Ambulatory BP and electrocardiogram monitoring, exercise stress-test, echocardiography, evaluating of respiratory function, blood analysis was performed initially and in 30 and 90 days of treatment.Results. Target BP level was reached in 44 (88%) patients treated with betaxolol (average daily dose 10±4 mg). 34 patients of G1 took 10 mg daily. Target BP level was reached in 41 (82%) patients treated with metoprolol tartrate (average daily dose 150±27 mg). 30 patients of G2 took 150 mg daily. Exercise tolerance increased and a number of ischemic ST segment depressions reduced significantly in both groups. There were no significant differences in antihypertensive, antianginal, and antiischemic efficacy between groups.Conclusion. Betaxolol advantage is an ability to maintain target BP level more than 24 hours. A possibility to take betaxolol once a day raises patient’s compliance with therapy.

Possibilities of modern antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy at percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with coronary artery disease are surveyed. Data of multicenter randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses are discussed. Possibilities of various drugs at percutaneous coronary interventions are reported from position of the international clinical guidelines.

Aim. To estimate a risk factor frequency of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients urgently hospitalized in hospitals, and also to estimate of patients part having effective prevention of VTE. Material and methods. ENDORSE (Epidemiologic International Day for the Evaluation of Patients at Risk of Venous Thrombosis in Acute Hospital Care Setting) is the international register. Patients of 40 years and older hospitalised in therapeutic departments as well as patients of 18 years and older hospitalised in surgical departments (358 hospitals in 32 countries) were included in the register. The case history analysis of all patients was performed for estimation of risk VTE and evaluation of preventive therapy quality according to American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Recommendation 2004. Results. Totally 68 183 patients (including 30 827 (45%) surgical patients and 37 356 (55%) therapeutic patients) were enrolled in Global ENDORSE Register. Russian centers enrolled 4 788 patients (including 2 829 (59%) surgical patients and 1 959 (41%) therapeutic patients). Totally 35 329 (51,8%) patients enrolled in Global ENDORSE Register (64,4% of surgical patients (19 842) and 41,5% of therapeutic patients (15 487)) had VTE risks. In Russia 2 188 enrolled patients (45,7%) had VTE risks (52% of surgical patients (1 470) and 36,7% of therapeutic patients (718). Totally 17 732 (50,2%) patients enrolled in Global Register ENDORSE and having VTE risks received VTE preventive therapy according to АССР Recommendations 2004. In Russia 521 (23,8%) patients enrolled in Global ENDORSE Register and having VTE risks received VTE preventive therapy according to АССР Recommendations 2004. It is more than 2 times less in comparison with world level (р

New data and perspectives of antithrombotic therapy are highlighted in patients with atrial fibrillation. Factors of warfarin therapy efficacy, as well as the possibility of new antithrombotic drugs are considered. Special attention are paid to the direct thrombin inhibitors — dabigatran. Possibilities and usage prospects of dabigatran in patients with atrial fibrillation are discussed in detail in the light of new results of RE-LY trial.

At the present there are principles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which are reflected in the recommendations of the AHA and ESC of 2010. They include strict rules on well-timed and proper closed-chest cardiac massage. According to these rules chest compressions should be repeated at least 100 times per minute at a depth of not less than 5 cm. To comply with the standards is not easy even for skilled staff, operator tiredness quickly leads to decrease in CPR quality. Various mechanical devices for closed-chest cardiac massage are used nowadays. One of them is LUCAS system. In some studies LUCAS system showed an efficacy and safety comparable with manual closed-chest cardiac massage. Design features of the LUCAS device do not disturb other life maintaining activities — defibrillation, mechanical ventilation. The device permeability for X-rays makes possible the use of LUCAS in cath labs, if CPR is needed during the intervention procedure. LUCAS system can serve as an alternative tool for CPR. It can be used in intensive care units, as well as be at the disposal of special emergency teams.

The clinical, cell and genetic factors are distinguished among reasons for resistance to antiplatelet drugs. There are many methods to detect sensitivity to antiplatelet drugs, but they all have disadvantages. Moreover, there is no unified approach for interpretation of received results, and no recommendations for their practical use. It is necessary to work out unified procedure to assess platelet function, to define indications for its usage and to work out unified criteria of resistance. Individualized approach and each patient’s peculiarities consideration are essential when prescribing antiplatelet therapy.

Aim. To evaluate antianginal and antiischemic efficiency of nebivolol in patients with stable angina pectoris.Material and methods. 100 patients with ischemic heart disease showing stable exertional angina pectoris and having no contraindications to beta-blockers were studied. After 5-7 days of control period 50 randomly selected patients began to take nebivolol in initial dose of 5mg once daily and 50 patients started to take metoprolol in initial dose of 50 mg twice daily. Duration of treatment was 8 weeks. Efficiency of treatment was assessed according to the results of control treadmill assessment and control daily ECG monitoring.Results. 56-day therapy with nebivolol at a dose of 7,5 mg per day results in increase in duration of treadmill test before angina or ST depression (pConclusion. Nebivolol is an efficient antianginal and antiischemic drug for patients with stable exertional angina pectoris.

Aim. To study prevalence of resistance to acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel and dual resistance in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), to identify clinical risk factors of resistance development, to study effects of concomitant therapy on resistance development, to identify relationship between risk of cardiovascular complications and activity of platelet aggregation, to assess safety of dual antiplatelet therapy , and to suggest possible ways to overcome clopidogrel resistance. Material and Methods. Patients (n=100) with stable angina class II-IV, that were planned for PCI, were included in the study. Patients randomized to group A (n=53) received clopidogrel 75 mg daily for 7 days before PCI, and later were allocated to subgroups of clopidogrel sensitive or resistant depending on platelet aggregation. In resistant subgroup clopidogrel daily dose was increased to 150 mg for the whole next period of observation. Patients randomized to group B (n=47) received a loading dose of clopidogrel 300 mg one day before PCI. Depending on the results of platelet reactivity assessment, patients were split into sensitive or resistant subgroups. Patients of resistant subgroup received the second loading dose of clopidogrel 300 mg before PCI and started to take clopidogrel 150 mg daily after PCI. Patients of sensitive subgroup did not receive the second clopidogrel loading dose and started to take clopidogrel in usual daily dose of 75 mg. The combined endpoint (after 6 and 12 months) included cardiovascular death, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction, recurrent angina, acute ischemic stroke, acute impairment of peripheral circulation. Results. Increased reactivity of platelets to acetylsalicylic acid was detected in 21% of patients. Resistance to clopidogrel in both groups was 56%. Double resistance was registered in 8% of patients. The development of resistance to clopidogrel was related with obesity (p=0.014) and hyperglycemia (p=0.017). 4 and 11 cardiovascular events were registered in 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusion. To assess efficacy of antiplatelet therapy it is advisable to study platelet aggregation before and shortly after PCI, especially in patients with obesity and glucose metabolism disturbances. Knowledge of changes in platelet aggregation during clopidogrel therapy can be usefull for timely correction of antiplatelet therapy. Increase in clopidogrel dose up to 150 mg a day is one of the possible way to overcome resistance to clopidogrel.

The purpose of the study was to improve the risk prediction of SCD in post-MI patients by comparing the informative value of new non-invasive SCD risk stratification factors (HRT, mTWA, DC) with the well-known factors (impaired HRV, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), ventricular arrhythmias) both alone and in combination. Holter monitoring (HM) with evaluation of the above factors and echocardiography with LVEF measurement were performed in 111 patients (84 males and 27 females) aged 64.1 10.5 years who had MI from 2 months to 36 years (mean 27 [9; 84] months) prior to admission. The follow-up period was 12 months. The endpoints included SCD and overall cardiovascular mortality. During follow-up 15 cases of SCD and 8 other cardiovascular deaths (5 repeated fatal MI and 3 lethal strokes) were registered. LVEF was the most significant predictor of overall mortality followed by DC, HRT, HRV, mTWA and QRS width. LVEF turned out to be the most significant risk factor for SCD followed by HRT, QRS width, DC, number of PVCs per day and mTWA. Noninvasive electrophysiological predictors showed the maximum SCD predictive value in patients with LVEF >40%, whereas at lower LVEF their predictive value was either decreased or completely lost. Combined risk assessment revealed that combination of HRT2 and increased mTWA caused a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular death (OR 30.7 (95% CI, 3.5-271.6), p 40%. The combination of HRT2 and mTWA 100 >53 mcV is associated with a maximum increased risk of cardiovascular death and SCD.

Part I (Diagnostics), was published in the journal “Rational Pharmacotherapy in Cardiology” 2014;10(1):62-72Aim. To develop a comprehensive clinical and morphological approach to the nosological diagnosis and treatment of "idiopathic" arrhythmias (IA) and the syndrome of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).Material and methods. Patients (n=320) with IA (n=190; 117 women, age 45.3±14.8 years) and DCM (n=130, 41 women, age 46.9±12.5 years) were included in the main group. 51 people (patients with ischemic heart disease; heart valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, who underwent open-heart surgery; healthy volunteers) were included in the control group. Along with the standard tests evaluation of the level of anti-heart antibodies (185 patients with IA and 122 with DCM), viral serology (166 and 122), multispiral computed tomography (42 and 88), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (41 and 22), coronary angiography (19 and 54), myocardial biopsy/autopsy (19/0 and 33/9) were performed.Results. According to morphological study infectious-immune myocarditis was found in 78.9% patients with IA and 66.7% patients with DCM, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in 5.3% and 4.8% of patients, respectively. Other genetic cardiomyopathies, including combination with myocarditis were revealed in other patients. The frequency of the viral genome detection in the myocardium in IA, DCM and the control group was 17.6%, 66.7% and 77.1%, respectively. However in the control group the incidence of myocarditis and anti-heart antibodies titers were significantly lower than in the main group, where a strong correlation between myocarditis and anti-heart antibodies titers was found. The algorithm of noninvasive nosological diagnostics was developed; it allowed to verify diagnosis in 95% of IA patients and 89% DCM patientsThe basic therapy (antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine) was performed in some patients with myocarditis. Improving of the antiarrhythmic effect of treatment in patients with IA, a significant increase in ejection fraction, a reducing of the size of the heart chambers and of pulmonary artery pressure in patients with DCM, a reducing of the need in surgical treatment (including in the virus-positive patients) occurred as results of treatment.Conclusion. Nosological cause of IA and DCM syndrome can be diagnosed in most patients by using an integrated clinical and morphological approach. This allows managing effective etiotropic and pathogenetic treatment.

Ambiguous data about comparability regarding clinical outcomes for prehospital thrombolysis, coupled with timely coronary angiography, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the early after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), there are now.In the STREAM trial 1892 patients with STEMI diagnosed within 3 hours after onset of symptoms, and whom it was impossible to perform primary PCI within 1 h after the first medical contact, were randomly assigned into two treatment groups: a) primary PCI b) prehospital thrombolytic therapy with bolus tenecteplase (dose decreased by half in patients aged ≥75 years) in combination with clopidogrel and enoxaparin followed by admission to the hospital, where it was possible to perform PCI. Emergency coronary angiography performed if thrombolysis failed. Coronary angiography and PCI of the infarct-related artery were performed in the period from 6 to 24 hours after randomization and thrombolytic therapy in the case of an effective thrombolysis. Primary endpoints include a composite of death, shock, congestive heart failure, or reinfarction up to 30 days.The primary endpoint occurred in 116 of 939 patients (12.4 %) of the thrombolysis group and in 135 of 943 patients (14.3%) of the primary PCI group (relative risk in the group thrombolysis 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.68-1.09, p=0.21). Emergency angiography was required in 36.3% of patients in the thrombolysis, and the remaining patients, coronary angiography and PCI were performed at a mean of 17 hours after randomization and thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolysis group had more intracranial hemorrhages than primary PCI group (1.0% vs 0.2%, p=0.04; after correction protocol and dose reduction by half of tenecteplase in patients ≥75 years: 0.5% vs. 0.3%, p=0.45). The rate of non- intracranial bleeding in two treatment groups did not differ.Prehospital thrombolysis followed by coronary angiography and timely PCI provide effective reperfusion in patients in the early stages of STEMI that was not possible to carry out primary PCI within 1 h after the first medical contact. Nevertheless, fibrinolysis was associated with a slight increase in the risk of intracranial bleeding.

Aim. To evaluate the possibility to increase the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation therapy in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) under the circumstances of an office for anticoagulation control located at the University Clinics.Material and methods. Observational prospective study (registry), included 325 patients with nonvalvular AF, taking various anticoagulation drugs for the prevention of thromboembolic complications (TEC). Mean duration of follow-up is 24±12 months.Results. At the current moment about 95% of patients continue taking anticoagulants and follow-up in the office of anticoagulation control. Totally there were 37 bleedings marked, of those 19 minor and 18 major. By the general quantity of bleeding cases there is no significance in the difference between warfarin and “novel” anticoagulants (NOAC) (p>0,05). Major bleedings significantly more common in warfarin group than in NOAC (p

A new method of non-drug treatment of resistant hypertension – renal denervation is considered. General information about resistant hypertension, method of renal denervation, the results of clinical studies on efficacy and safety, as well as own clinical case are presented.

Indirect comparisons of new oral anticoagulants are performed with focus on their safety. Apixaban, an oral inhibitor of Xa factor, nowadays can be considered as a drug with very good safety profile according to randomized trials results and performed indirect comparisons.

Aim. To study the structure and incidence of the in-hospital anticoagulants prescription in patients at high risk of thromboembolic events (TEE) and to evaluate clinical characteristics of anticoagulated patients (by the example of the University Clinical Hospital (UCH) №1 of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (FMSMU).Material and methods. The cross-sectional retrospective study held in UCH №1 of the FMSMU, enrolled 677 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for whom the prevention of TEE was indicated.Results. Of 677 analyzed cases (women 70%, men 30%) only 61% of the patients received appropriate anticoagulant therapy. Warfarin was prescribed in 73% of the cases, of them unsatisfactory international normalized ratio (INR) control (time in therapeutic range less than 60%) was revealed in 79%. 8.45% of the vitamin K antagonist treated patients developed hemorrhagic complications. 16% of the patients received novel oral anticoagulants (dabigatran – 14%, rivaroxaban – 2%). Bleeding was fixed in 4.2% of the dabigatran treated patients and in 14.3% - in case of rivaroxaban therapy.Conclusion. More than a third of non-valvular AF patients receive inadequate antithrombotic therapy in routine clinical practice. 75% of the anticoagulated patients are prescribed the vitamin K antagonists (typically warfarin) as a traditional anticoagulant. At that, only in 21.7% of the patients receiving vitamin K antagonists, this therapy may be considered adequate. Low incidence rate of the novel oral anticoagulants prescription despite the advantages of such treatment also calls attention.

Aim. To analyze the results of first 50 endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) in general care clinic, to clarify the selection criteria and procedure role in management decision in patients with various noncoronarogenic diseases of myocardium. Material and methods. Totally 50 patients included, who had been underwent EMB during 2007-2014 (31 men, mean age 44,3±13,5). Investigation included the level of anticardiac antibodies (n=49), DNA of herpes group viruses and parvovirus B19 by PCR in blood (n=40) and myocardium (n=49), scintigraphy of myocardium (n=20), MDCT (n=21), MRI (n=17), coronary arteriography (n=22), genetician consultation (n=15). EMB of the right ventricle was done using biopsy forceps STANDARD 5.5 F 104 FEMORAL (Cordis). The materials were coloured with hematoxyline-eosine, picrofucsine by Van Hison, Schiff reactives, Pearls, red congo. The study was approved by the Ethics Comitteeof FMSMU. Results. Indications for EMB were set for 3 groups of patients: 1. With dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) as a syndrome, including the probability of acute/ subacute myocarditis (n=7), allergic myocarditis (n=1), myocarditis with myocardial infarction (n=1), vasculitis (n=3), possible myocarditis in long-lasting course of DCMP (n=9), in patients with non-compact myocardium, myodystrophy of Emeri-Dreyfus and possible arrhythmogenic dysplasia of the right ventricle (n=7). 2. With "idiopathic" rhythm and conduction disorders (n=18), including high probability of myocarditis (n=13), vasculitis (n=2), necessity for differentiation of myocarditis and genetic cardiomyopathies (n=3). 3. With the syndrome of primary myocardial hypertrophy (n=3). EMB was informative in all patients, myocarditis found in 82,6%. Conclusion. The criteria for high diagnostic value of EMB is nosological way of selection. In addition to current scenarios it is aimfull to perform EMB if clinically significant ischemia with non-changed coronary arteries, with suspected myocarditis in patients with genetic cardiomyopathies, inborn defects, CHD and other established heart diseases. The EMB results define the tactics of medication and surgical treatment.

To evaluate the efficiency of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in virus-negative (V-) and virus-positive (V+) patients with lymphocytic myocarditis (LM).60 patients (45 males) (mean age 46.7±11.8 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy (mean left ventricular (LV) end diastolic size (EDS) 6.7±0.7 cm; ejection fraction (EF) 26.2±9.1%) were examined. The diagnosis of active/borderline LM was verified by right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy in 38 patients, by intraoperative LV biopsy in 10, in the study of explanted hearts from 3 patients and at autopsy in 9. The investigators determined the genomes of parvovirus B19, herpes viruses types 1, 2 and 6, Epstein-Barr (EBV), zoster, and cytomegalovirus in the blood and myocardium and, if antibodies were present in the blood, hepatitis B and C viruses, as well as antibodies against antigens in the endothelium, cardiomyocytes and their nuclei, smooth muscles, fibers of the conducting system. IST was used in terms of histological, immune, and viral activities. IST was performed in 22 V+ patients (Group 1) and in 24 V- patients (Group 2); this was not done in 10 V+ patients (Group 3) and V- patients (Group 4). IST comprised methylprednisolone at a mean dose of 24 mg/day (n=40), hydroxychloroquine 200 mg/day (n=20), azathioprine at a mean dose of 150 mg/day (n=21); antiviral therapy included acyclovir, ganciclovir, intravenous immunoglobulin (n=24). The follow-up period was 19 (7.3-40.3) months.The viral genome was detected in the myocardium of 32 patients who made up a V+ group. The degree of histological activity did not differ in relation to the presence of viral genome in the myocardium. The degree of immune activity (anticardiolipin antibody titers) in the V+ patients was as high as that in V- ones. At baseline, the V+ patients had a significantly higher LV EDS and a lower EF than the V- patients. Overall, IST only could lead to a significant increase in EF (from 26.5±0.9 to 36.0±10.8%; p0.001) and reductions in NYHA functional class from III to II (p0.001), LV EDS (from 6.7±0.7 to 6.4±0.8 cm; p0.01), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (from 48.9±15.5 to 39.4±11.5 mm Hg (p0.01); the IST group had significantly lower mortality rates than the non-IST group (23.9 and 64.3%; p0.01). At the same time, a significant trend was seen in both V- and V+ patients. The mortality rate in the V+ patients, as a whole, was higher (46.9 and 17.9%; p0.05).IST leads to a significant improvement of functional indices and it is associated with lower mortality rates in both myocardial V- and V+ patients with LM. A more than 10% EF increase in the first 2 months is associated with a good prognosis. The presence of viral genome in the myocardium (primarily herpesviruses rather than parvovirus-19) is accompanied by more severe initial dysfunction, a less pronounced effect of IST, and higher mortality rates. However, the positive effect of IST also persists in V+ patients. No positive changes (a decrease in EF was observed) were absent only in IST-naïve V+ patients.Цель исследования. Оценка эффективности иммуносупрессивной терапии (ИСТ) у вируснегативных (V–) и вируспозитивных (V+) больных с лимфоцитарным миокардитом (ЛМ). Материалы и методы. Обследовали 60 больных (45 мужчин и 15 женщин) с синдромом дилатационной кардиомиопатии, средний возраст 46,7±11,8 года, средний конечный диастолический размер (КДР) левого желудочка (ЛЖ) 6,7±0,7 см, фракция выброса (ФВ) 26,2±9,1%. Диагноз активного/пограничного ЛМ верифицировали с помощью эндомиокардиальной биопсии правого желудочка у 38 больных, интраоперационной биопсии ЛЖ у 10, при исследовании эксплантированного сердца у 3 и при аутопсии у 9. Определяли в крови и миокарде геном парвовируса В19, вирусов герпеса 1, 2 и 6-го типов, Эбштейна-Барр (ВЭБ), zoster, цитомегаловируса, при наличии антител в крови - вирусов гепатитов В и С, а также антитела к антигенам эндотелия, кардиомиоцитов и их ядер, гладкой мускулатуры, волокон проводящей системы. ИСТ назначали с учетом гистологической, иммунной, вирусной активности. ИСТ проводили 22 больным V+ (1-я группа) и 24 V– (2-я группа), не проводили 10 больным V+ (3-я группа) и 4 больным V– (4-я группа). ИСТ включала метилпреднизолон в средней дозе 24 мг/сут (n=40), гидроксихлорохин 200 мг/сут (n=20), азатиоприн в средней дозе 150 мг/сут (n=21), противовирусная - ацикловир, ганцикловир, внутривенно иммуноглобулин (n=24). Срок наблюдения 19 (7,3; 40,3) мес. Результаты. Вирусный геном выявлен в миокарде у 32 больных, которые составили группу V+. Степень гистологической активности не различалась в зависимости от наличия вирусного генома в миокарде. Степень иммунной активности (титры антикардиальных антител) у больных V+ оказалась столь же высокой, как и у больных V–. По сравнению с больными V– больные V+ по миокарду исходно имели достоверно больший КДР ЛЖ и более низкую ФВ. В целом только при использовании ИСТ получено достоверное увеличение ФВ (с 26,5±0,9 до 36,0±10,8%; p0,001), снижение функционального класса (ФК) по NYHA с III до II (р0,001), КДР ЛЖ (с 6,7±0,7 до 6,4±0,8 см; р0,01), СДЛА (с 48,9±15,5 до 39,4±11,5 мм рт.ст.; р0,01); по сравнению с группой без ИСТ была достоверно меньше летальность (23,9 и 64,3%; p0,01). При этом достоверная динамика отмечена у больных как V–, так и V+. Летальность у больных V+ в целом выше оказалась (46,9 и 17,9%; р0,05). Заключение. ИСТ приводит к достоверному улучшению функциональных показателей и ассоциируется с меньшей летальностью у больных ЛМ как V–, так и V+ по миокарду. С хорошим прогнозом ассоциируется повышение ФВ в первые 2 мес более чем на 10%. Наличие вирусного генома в миокарде (в первую очередь герпетических вирусов, но не парвовируса В-19) сопровождается более тяжелой исходной дисфункцией, менее выраженным эффектом ИСТ и более высокой летальностью. Однако положительный эффект ИСТ сохраняется и у больных V+. Лишь у больных без ИСТ V+ положительная динамика отсутствовала (отмечено снижение ФВ).

AIM of the study was to elucidate nosological nature of "idiopathic" arrhythmias by means of complex clinical-morphological examination and to assess efficacy of differentiated (including etiotropic and pathogenetic) treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined 190 patients (117 women, mean age 45.33 ± 14.84 years) with "idiopathic" arrhythmias: atrial fibrillation (38.9%) (AF,) and flutter (11.1%), supraventricular (44.7%) and ventricular (55.3%) extrasystoles (SVE and VE), bouts of ventricular tachycardia (15.8%), atrioventricular block (22,6%) et al. Mean number of antiarrhythmic drugs per patient was 3 (from 1 to 8). Examination included Holter ECG monitoring, echocardiography, determination of anticardiac antibodies (97.4%) and markers of cardiotropic viruses (87.4%), treadmill test (26.3%), transesophageal cardiac pacing (12.1%), electrophysiological investigation (10%), multispiral computed tomography (22.1%), magnetic resonance tomography (21.6%), scintigraphy (27.4%), coronary angiography (10.0%), endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) (10.0%), DNA diagnostics (8.9%). RESULTS EMB revealed immune-inflammatory (myo/endocarditis, systemic/myocardial vasculitis) or genetic pathology in 78.9 and 21.1% of cases, respectively. Level of anticardiac antibodies (including specific antinuclear factor) most closely correlated with EMB findings. On the basis of comparison of EMB data with data of complex examination we created algorithm of nosological diagnostics in "idiopathic" arrhythmias. According to nosology all patients were distributed in the following way: 1) chronic infectious-immune myocarditis (n=144, 75.7%), morphologically verified in 14, viral in 27 patients; 2) genetic cardiomyopathy (n=15, 7.9%), morphologically verified in 4, virus positive in 1 (arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, non-compaction myocardium, Fabri disease, Brugada syndrome, undetermined); in 4 patients mutations in plakophilin 2, desmoglein, desmin, -galactosidase A genes were found; 3) combination of genetic diseases with myocarditis (n=18; 9.5%) including viral (n=3); 4) isolated myocardiodystrophy (tonsillogenic< dyshormonal, n=3, 1.6%); 5) proper idiopathic arrhythmias (n=10, 5.3%). Therapy of myocarditis included antiviral (43.2%) and immunosuppressive (76.3%) drugs. Cardiotropic and antiarrhythmic therapy was also administered. Only in patients with myocarditis it was possible to withdraw effective antiarrhythmic (16.7%) and to improve effect of previously ineffective drugs. Surgical treatment (implantation of pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator, radiofrequency ablation) was more frequently used in patients with genetic (39.4%) and idiopathic arrhythmias (53.8%) than in patients with myocarditis (16.0%). CONCLUSION Etiology of idiopathic arrhythmias can be established in most cases. Their main causes are immune-inflammatory diseases, genetic cardiomyopathies and their combination. Therapy of myocarditis improves antiarrhythmic activity of treatment, in some patients allows to withdraw antiarrhythmic drugs, decrease requirements in surgical treatment and to optimally prepare patients to radiofrequency ablation.

Coronary angioplasty is an important component of coronary heart disease (CHD) management. There is a substantial evidence of the need for dual antiaggregant therapy (clopidogrel and aspirin) in this clinical group, both before and after the intervention. The development of thrombotic complications during antiaggregant therapy suggests the antiplatelet drug resistance. The prevalence of this condition varies from 5% to 45% for aspirin, and from 20% to 45% for clopidogrel, depending on the assessment method and the specific clinical group. For dual antiplatelet therapy, the resistance prevalence is 6-8%. Presently, the gold standard method of the platelet functional activity assessment is optical aggregometry. To assess the resistance to aspirin, arachidonic acid is used as an aggregation inductor, with the calculation of absolute aggregation levels. To assess the resistance to clopidogrel, ADP is used as an aggregation inductor, and the relative aggregation parameters are calculated. The development of aspirin resistance is influenced by biological, clinical, and genetic factors. The clopidogrel resistance is associated with certain medications, hyperglycemia, atherosclerosis, and CYP2C19*2 gene polymorphism. Identification of the patients resistant to antiplatelet drugs enables the clinicians to adjust the antiplatelet treatment reasonably early and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The possible methods of overcoming antiplatelet drug resistance are to double the loading and maintenance doses of clopidogrel and to use new agents.

Aim.To assess the association between ω-3 index of erythrocytes and demographic, electrophysiological, and echocardiographic (EchoCG) predictors of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and ventricular arrhythmias (VA).Material and methods.The study included 25 patients with a verified diagnosis of CHD and VA. Gas chromatography method was used to measure the content (%) of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in peripheral blood erythrocytes, with the calculation of a summary (EPA + DHA) ω-3 index. All participants underwent 24-hour electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring, with the assessment of maximal, minimal, and mean heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) parameters (SDNN and pNN50), heart rate turbulence (TO and TS), microvolt T wave alternans (mTWA), and the number of ventricular extrasystoles (VE) and transient and persistent ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes. All patients also underwent EchoCG.Results.In examined patients, the values of ω-3 index of erythrocytes varied from 1,12% to 6,4% (mean 3,74%, 95% CI 2,02-4,38%). There was a weak correlation between ω-3 index or EPA levels (%) and the HRV parameter of pNN50. In addition, ω-3 index or DHA levels (%) negatively correlated with the daily VE number. The 5:00 AM value of mTWA (II lead, update factor 1/8) weakly correlated withω-3 index and DHA levels. There was a moderate positive correlation between E/A ratio and omega-3 index, or EPA and DHA levels.Conclusion.Patients with CHD and VA were characterised by low ω-3 index values and high (56%) or moderate (44%) levels of cardiovascular risk. The values of ω-3 index positively correlated with the daily VE number and negatively correlated with E/A ratio and pNN50 parameter of HRV.

Basic principles of the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are discussed taking into account recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (2010). Peculiarities of AF diagnosis, clinical course and severity estimation, approaches to complications prevention and therapy strategy choice in patients with AF (rhythm control or heart rate control) are presented.

to investigate the myocardial expression of some structural proteins and markers of cellular proliferation and innate immunity for assessing their possible diagnostic and prognostic role in patients with chronic myocarditis.The investigation enrolled 23 patients (16 men; mean age, 52.0±12.4 years (range, 27 to 73) with various forms of noncoronarogenic myocardial injury who underwent right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (n=4), intraoperative left ventricular biopsy (n=17) or autopsy (n=2). Prior to their morphological examination, the patients were divided into two groups: 1) 10 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and presumptive myocarditis; 2) 13 patients with valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myxoma, and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism, presumptively without myocarditis. Along with myocardial histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations, the expression of vimentin, desmin, c-kit, Ki-67, and Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 9 was determined. Polymerase chain reaction was used to identify whether herpes viruses of and parvovirus B19 genomes were present in the blood and myocardial samples; indirect ELISA was applied to estimate the blood level of antibodies against various cardiac antigens.According to the histological findings, active/borderline lymphocytic myocarditis was diagnosed in all the patients (Group 1) and in 6 patients (Group 2) in conjunction with the underlying disease (only in 9 and 7 patients, respectively), viral genome was detected in the myocardium of 15 patients, including in 5 without morphological signs of myocarditis (parvovirus B19 (n=11), herpesvirus 6 (n=4), herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (n=1), Epstein-Barr virus (n=2), and cytomegalovirus (n=1)), and in the blood (n=4). A marked correlation was found between TLR2 and TLR9 expressions and the morphological pattern of active myocarditis in the absence of this correlation with the expression level of other studied markers. The expression level of TLR2 in patients with and without borderline myocarditis was 0 [0; 0,75] and in those with active myocarditis was 1.5 [1; 1,5] points; that of TLR9 was 2 [2; 2] and 4 [3; 4] points, respectively (p0.001). The expression of TLR2 and TLR9 in patients with borderline myocarditis was lower than in those without myocarditis (0 [0; 0] versus 0 [0; 1] and 2 [1,5; 2] versus 2 [2; 3] points), which can reflect cardiomyocyte destruction/depletion at later stages of the disease. There was also a close correlation between the expression level of TLR2 and that of TLR9 (r=0.824; p0.001) and with Ki-67 levels (r=-0.531 and r=-0.702; p0.01). There was also a correlation of the expression of the studied markers with viral persistence (desmin), the degree of myocardial dysfunction and cardiosclerosis (c-kit), which calls for further investigations.Determination of the myocardial expression level of TLR2 and TLR9 may serve as an immunohistochemical marker for myocarditis and preservation of its activity, which is especially valuable in patients with borderline forms. The marked expression of these markers for innate immunity may reflect both one of the mechanisms of genetic predisposition to myocarditis and its severe course and their secondary activation in the pathogenesis of the disease and is a potential target of therapy.Цель - изучить степень экспрессии некоторых структурных белков, маркеров клеточной пролиферации и врожденного иммунитета в миокарде для оценки их возможной диагностической и прогностической роли у больных с хроническим миокардитом. Материал и методы. В исследование включено 23 больных (16 мужчин, средний возраст 52,0±12,4 года, от 27 до 73 лет) с различными формами некоронарогенного поражения миокарда, которым проведены эндомиокардиальная биопсия правого желудочка (n=4), интраоперационная биопсия левого желудочка (n=17) или аутопсия (n=2). До проведения морфологического исследования пациентов разделили на группу 1-ю с синдромом дилатационной кардиомиопатии и предполагаемым миокардитом (10 больных) и 2-ю группу с пороками сердца, гипертрофической кардиомиопатией, миксомой и хронической тромбоэмболией легочной артерии, предположительно без миокардита (13 человек). Наряду с гистологическим проведено иммуногистохимическое (ИГХ) исследование миокарда с определением экспрессии виментина, десмина, c-kit, Ki-67 и toll-like-рецепторов (TLR) 2-го и 9-го типов. Методом ПЦР в крови и миокарде определяли наличие генома вирусов герпетической группы и парвовируса В19, методом непрямого ИФА - уровень антител в крови к различным антигенам сердца. Результаты. По данным гистологического исследования активный/пограничный лимфоцитарный миокардит диагностирован у всех больных 1-й группы и у 6 больных 2-й в сочетании с основным заболеванием, вирусный геном выявлен в миокарде у 15 больных, в том числе у 5 без морфологических признаков миокардита (парвовирус В19 у 11, вирус герпеса 6-го типа у 4, вирус простого герпеса 1-го и 2-го типов у 1, вирус Эпштейна-Барр у 2, цитомегаловирус у 1 пациента), в крови у 4 больных. Обнаружена выраженная корреляция экспрессии TLR2 и TLR9 с наличием морфологической картины активного миокардита при отсутствии такой связи с уровнем экспрессии остальных изученных маркеров. Уровень экспрессии TLR2 у пациентов с пограничным миокардитом или без него составил 0 [0; 0,75], с активным миокардитом - 1,5 [1; 1,5] балла, TLR9 - 2 [2; 2] и 4 [3; 4] балла соответственно (p0,001). При пограничном миокардите экспрессия TLR2 и TLR9 была ниже, чем без миокардита (0 [0; 0] против 0 [0; 1] баллов и 2 [1,5; 2] против 2 [2; 3] баллов), что может отражать гибель/истощение кардиомиоцитов на поздних стадиях болезни. Отмечена также тесная корреляция уровней экспрессии TLR2 и TLR9 между собой (r=0,824, р0,001) и с уровнем Ki-67 (r=–0,531 и r=–0,702, р0,01). Выявлена также связь экспрессии изученных маркеров с персистенцией вирусов (десмин), степенью дисфункции миокарда и кардиосклероза (с-kit), что требует дальнейшего изучения. Заключение. Определение уровня экспрессии TLR2 и TLR9 в миокарде может служить ИГХ-маркером наличия миокардита и сохранения его активности, что особенно ценно у больных с пограничными формами. Выраженная экспрессия данных маркеров врожденного иммунитета может отражать как один из механизмов генетической предрасположенности к развитию миокардита и его тяжелому течению, так и вторичную их активацию в патогенезе заболевания и является потенциальной мишенью терапии.

Objective. To study prevalence and clinical picture of distal parts of bronchial tree(bronchiolitis) in pts with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. 104 nonsmoking pts with RA and 100 pts without RA and chronic diseases of respiratory apparatus were included. General clinical examination, spirometry, bodyplethysmography, examination of lung diffusion capacity (LDC) and multispiralcomputed tomography (MSCT) of lungs were performed. Results. Direct and indirect bronchiolitis signs were revealed with MSCT in 36 (35%) ptswith RA and 1 pt of control group (p

Comments on American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology Guidelines (2006) for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective. To study the prevalence and origin of dyspnea in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to specify its impact on exercise endurance (EE) and quality-of-life (QL) indices. Subjects and methods. One hundred and four patients with RA and 100 patients without RA and chronic respiratory diseases were examined. General clinical examination was performed; QL was estimated using the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire and the EQ-5D; spirometry, body plethysmography, estimation of pulmonary diffusion capacity, pulmonary multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), and echocardiography were made. Five patients with RA underwent cardiopulmonary testing on a graded exercise treadmill with gas analysis (ergospirometry). Results. Dyspnea during exercise was reported by 54 (52%) patients with RA and 9 (9%) control patients (p < 0.001). Dyspnea was more frequently detected and more significant in RA patients with other symptoms of respiratory organ lesions (cough, sputum discharge, chest pain on breathing and coughing), anemia, and emotional disorders of the anxious-depressive type. The degree of dyspnea correlated with DAS 28 scores (r = 0.33; p < 0.01). No correlation was found between lung function parameters and blood gas composition. Pulmonary MSCT in RA patients with dyspnea more frequently revealed signs of bronchiolitis and lesion of the lung as its interstitial fibrotic type. Conclusion. Dyspnea is a common symptom and an important factor in reducing EE and QL in patients with RA. Dyspnea in these patients has a multifactorial origin. Of importance in its occurrence are the involvement of the lung and bronchi in the pathological process irrespective of the lung function, as well as RA-associated factors (including anemia), and nosogenic emotional disorders (anxiety and/or depression).